Egypt’s PM receives World Tourism Organization chief in 1st tour outside Europe

CAIRO – 24 August 2020: Egypt’s Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli on Monday said the coronavirus pandemic came at a time while Egyptian tourism had witnessed unprecedented performance, as he met with Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili in Cairo.

Egypt was Pololikashvili’s first destination outside Europe since the coronavirus outbreak.

During the meeting, Madbouli Egypt was at the forefront of countries that implemented anti-coronavirus measures without harming the citizens' life.

Pololikashvili hailed the strict precautionary measures at airports, hotels, and tourist sites that he visited, lauding the measures of the gradual reopening of the tourism sector here.

The UNWTO chief expressed his optimism about the Egyptian tourism sector, especially after his meeting earlier today with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who voiced his keenness to greatly support this vital sector.

During the meeting, Tourism Minister Khaled Al Enani reviewed the tourism movement in Egypt, pointing that South Sinai, Matrouh, and the Red Sea governorates received around 126,000 tourists since the resumption of tourism here without recording any coronavirus cases among them.

Pololikashvili also visited the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo’s Fustat.

Along with Enani, Pololikashvili expressed admiration of the museum, saying it would be a comprehensive cultural establishment besides being an archaeological site.

The museum includes a theater, a cinema and a group of cafeterias, which contributes to achieving sustainable development, as museums and cultural centers have a major role in sustainable development by highlighting social and cultural changes in society,

He also hailed the implementation of preventive measures in Egypt amid the coronavirus crisis.

MENA contributed to the reporting.